In the Third Raikage's view, trees stretched endlessly, a boundless forest.
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode!" He roared, his body surging through the obstructing trees, soaring into the sky. From above, he saw the same, an infinite expanse of forest.
A new forest had emerged.
Boom! Landing heavily, the Raikage shouted, "A, Killer B, order the Kumo ninjas to retreat, now!"
"Yes, Father!"
"Yes, Raikage-sama!" A and Killer B responded in unison. They understood the terror of this ninjutsu. Without retreat, Kumo would suffer greater losses, with more ninjas falling to Tengen's technique.
"Hiashi-sama, Fugaku-sama, rally the Konoha ninjas and attack!" Tengen commanded.
"Yes, Tengen-sama!" Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku replied, awestruck by Wood Release's devastating power.
It was the difference between gods and mortals.
Their respect for Tengen had turned to reverence.
"Be careful, Tengen-sama." Hiashi and Fugaku said as they departed to inform the Konoha ninjas of Tengen's Wood Release kekkei genkai.
"But, Third Raikage, that was a bold call, ordering a retreat." Tengen said.
Konoha's ninjas were dazed, but given time, they'd dominate in the home field of Advent of a World of Trees, making Kumo's position perilous.
Tengen admired the Raikage's decisiveness.
He was also elated, having just received a high-definition video, one he was eager to explore. But first, he'd deal with the Raikage.
"This isn't the Mangekyō's power, it's the First Hokage's Wood Release." The Raikage said gravely.
The legendary Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees, used only by Hashirama Senju, was renowned across the ninja world, its kekkei genkai fabled.
Wood Release was deemed the most powerful kekkei genkai, its reputation surpassing even the Uchiha's Sharingan.
Regrettably, only Hashirama among the Senju wielded it, making Wood Release a mythic power.
Now, the Third Raikage understood why it was called the strongest.
Tengen possessed not only Wood Release but also the Uchiha's supreme Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Third Raikage, this is Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees. What do you think?" Tengen asked.
"Let's test your strength." The Raikage said slowly.
"I've wanted to face you, Third Raikage, said to wield the strongest spear and shield." Tengen said, smiling. "This time, I'll meet your power with taijutsu."
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode!" The Raikage's low growl accompanied a surge of lightning chakra enveloping him.
His speed, strength, and defense skyrocketed, a barrier even the Eight-Tails couldn't breach, like an impregnable armor.
"Impressive taijutsu." Tengen said, grinning as his own physical power erupted.
"Pseudo-One-Punch Training Power."
"Energy-Enhanced Physical Strength."
"Strength Beneath the Sage Body."
"Super Regeneration."
"Armament Haki." These abilities combined into Tengen's terrifying physical prowess.
Boom! Tengen's light step cracked the ground, fractures radiating outward.
This power surpassed Tsunade's monstrous strength.
"Come!" The Raikage vanished in a flash, Tengen matching his speed.
Their figures flickered through the forest, too fast for ordinary jōnin to track, their movements a blur to any onlookers from either village.
The air roared with their clashes.
Winds howled, trees shattered.
In Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Tengen knew Advent of a World of Trees wouldn't hinder the Raikage's extraordinary taijutsu.
So he met him head-on with his own.
Bang! Bang!
Their speed left afterimages, their strikes reverberating with immense power.
A single blow could pulverize an ordinary ninja's body.
This was a high-level taijutsu duel.
Boom! Their fists collided again, sending both skidding back, the ground splitting into a massive chasm.
"Such strength." Tengen said, steadying himself and flexing his fist.
With Armament Haki and his robust physique, he emerged unscathed.
"No effect at all?" The Raikage's face darkened.
Even without the Mangekyō or Wood Release, Tengen's mysterious kekkei genkai left him powerless.
Tengen's taijutsu matched Kage-level strength.
And the Raikage knew Tengen also wielded the Eight Gates.
With the Eight Gates, Tengen's taijutsu could climb even higher.
Whoosh! The Raikage retreated like a bolt of lightning, shattering obstructing trees with his power.
"Running away?" Tengen watched without pursuing.
"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let it slide." He said, his figure fading from the battlefield.
He had other Konoha ninjas to aid.
***
Every 5 reviews and 200 power stones, a bonus chapter will be dropped.
(5,10,15, 200, 400, 600, and so on then two bonus chapters will be dropped, 1 for 5 reviews and 1 for 200 power stones, so that's 2 bonus chapters!)
And if you want to read more than 50 chapters early, feel free to visit pat re on. com / Xelenea (remove space).